Bengals-Commanders game scripts NFL history after long 84-year hiatus following Jayden Daniels’ best rookie performance ever

Commanders' Jayden Daniels created history by becoming the first rookie quarterback to create more touchdown chances than incomplete passes.

Bengals-Commanders game scripts NFL history after long 84-year hiatus following Jayden Daniels’ best rookie performance ever

(L) Jayden Daniels & (R) Joe Burrow (Image via IMAGO)

Jayden Daniels finally started to click with the Washington Commanders offense, and it was on full display when they played the Cincinnati Bengals on prime-time Monday Night Football. Daniels became the first rookie quarterback to complete 91.3% of his passes, surpassing his predecessor, Robert Griffin III.

If there were any doubters even after the win over divisional rivals the New York Giants in week 2, then those were washed away when Daniels set up back-to-back runs for Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler. The Bengals QB Joe Burrow kept pace by linking up with Ja’Marr Chase.

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Daniels made sure to restore parity after darting in a red zone run of his own in the third quarter. However, the second overall pick of the 2024 draft showed a bit of Heisman magic to find Terry McLaurin inside the Bengals endzone for a 27-yard touchdown.

Zack Moss’ late score wasn’t enough for the Bengals to get back in the game as Jayden Daniels secured his second win of his infant Commanders career. The game ended close, 38-33.

When Daniels and Joe Burrow, two former LSU Tigers QBs, embraced each other at the center circle, one interesting statistic lit up on the TV screen. Throughout the night there were no punts or turnovers, which meant the Bengals-Commanders game became the first fixture since 1940 (84 years) with an incredible stat.

Jayden Daniels set up more touchdowns than throwing incomplete passes

It was a night of shattering records. Jayden Daniels completed the game with 21/23 for 254 passing yards and 2 touchdowns with a jaw-dropping 147.74 quarterback rating. Additionally, he scored one and set up two more rushing touchdowns, so he had a hand in creating five touchdowns. It means that he created more TDs than he threw incompletions.

Bengals-Commanders game scripts NFL history after long 84-year hiatus following Jayden Daniels' best rookie performance ever
Jayden Daniels (Image via IMAGO)

ESPN’s Lisa Salters spoke with the 23-year-old after the game and narrated his stats on the night. Salters asked for a reaction, and the first thing Daniels did was praise the almighty.

Give glory to God. I wouldn’t be in this business without him, so I can’t do it without him.
Jayden Daniels said.

Salter then asked him to describe the touchdown pass to McLaurin that sealed the win.

Cover zero. I knew I was going to take a hit, but I trust my player to go out there—trust my guy to make a play out there.
Daniels added.

However, it wasn’t his first NFL touchdown pass. Daniels found big offensive tackle Trent Scott of all people, roaming free inside the Bengals endzone for his first of many. Now the question is who gets to keep the ball because an OT’s job isn’t exactly to score TDs. Daniels knows who gets that ball.

I get to keep it [with a smile on his face]. That’s my first one. I had to [because] look it’s gonna be a crazy trivia in the future that who was my first career touchdown pass to.
Daniels joked.  

Up next, the Commanders are on the road to play the Arizona Cardinals while the Bengals face the Carolina Panthers.